Most of them either straight-set beatings or five-set matches (mostly chokes)

01-25-2012 04:17 PM

Gagsquet

Re: Richard In The Australian Summer 2012- Australian Open.

[youtube]oNeOdMmz8Dc[/youtube]

Look at the first point. This is how Gasquet should always play.
First serve, Ferrer makes a really good return but Gasquet stays on his baseline and hit a forehand right ahead.
Ferrer is pressed because Gasquet played fast cause he hit the ball staying on his baseline, then he hit a crossed backhand not that good and Gasquet replies with a good crossed backhand pretty long. Ferrer hit a crossed backhand again but he is on defense because Gasquet is dominating the rally. And the famous backhand down the line gives the point to Gasquet. He could hit it because he dominates the rally and is near his baseline.

I wish he could always play like that.

Look at the point right after. He lost it cause to his weak forehand and same story on the match point. That's really a problem...

Tsonga beats Federer and Nadal on consistent basis or when he loses, he very often competitive!

If one looks into those confrontations in more detail, it is easy to see that Tsonga had much more favourable conditions.

Tsonga's H/H with Roger is 3-8, while Richard's is 2-9. Tsonga met Roger for the first time in 2008, while 7 of Richard's matches were before 2007, and you might remember what a force Roger was between 2004 and 2007. It was in this period when Richard but up two very competitive performances against the Swiss, Halle and Toronto, both in 2006.

For Nadal, Tsonga's 3-6 H/H does indeed look much better, but only one match took place on clay. Richard played 10 times again Nadal, but 6 times on clay. How often did NAdal lose on clay in recent years? The only time when Tsonga did have to face Nadal on clay was last years's DC-tie. Tsonga was in very good form in the second half of 2011, but that did not help, the spanking he got from Nadal was very similar to Ricahrd's.

Tsonga: nr 6, lost last 16
Monfils: nr 14, lost last 32
Simon: nr 12, lost last 64
Richard: nr 18, lost last 16

Yes, French players have been disappointing at this AO, but if you look overall record in slams, Simon, Monfils, Tsonga have been far more competitive than Richard. I mean Simon took Roger to 5 sets at 2011 AO. He beat Del Potro at 2011 US Open. I do not see Richard even come close to anything like that. Tsonga beats Federer and Nadal on consistent basis or when he loses, he very often competitive! How about Tsonga's run at Wimbledon last year? To me, there is no comparison. Outside of Rome's win over Federer, when was the last time Richard was even competitive against Federer? We know how Richard's horrible record against Nadal. I am not even gonna mention his last few matches against Murray.

The fact is, Richard, when he is playing elite competition, he looks like tier 4 player for first couple sets and then he usually simply gives up in last set. Harsh words, but that's what I see happening time and time again.

Thanks. The problem is if he does play Montpellier, he travels to Canada straight after (If only he's picked) and then he has to return back to Europe for Rotterdam. Fatigue might come into play......

It is more than fatigue at stake, if Richard does indeed play a match on Sunday in Vancouver, it will be physically almost impossible to be in Rotterdam on time due to the different timezones. So a withdrawal for Rotterdam is very likely, if he sets a foot into Vancouver. Rotterdam does not suit him well anyway, so this won't be a big thing.

He does not know yet, but with none of the other Frenchies performing exceptionally well, I can't imagine that he won't be called. He was the only one playing better than his ranking, after all. Of course, Forget can pick his beloved Llodra again for singles.

Well at least none of the others have the excuse that they are too tired from going deep in a Slam.

NOt so sure I'd say RIchard was playing better than his ranking - he should beat Seppi, Golubev didn't even show up and Tipsy didn't play anywhere near a top 10 player so it was hard to judge just how well Richard really played. and then there was the Ferrer match which probably didn't do much to boast Forget's confidence in Richard.

If Forget does ask him I wish Richard would just tell FOrget he's not playing this time - no alternate, no nothing. Tsonga, Monfils, Llodra, Simon are all better suited for what will likely be a VERY fast court and Benneteau is playing well right now so Llodra has a doubles partner.

He does not know yet, but with none of the other Frenchies performing exceptionally well, I can't imagine that he won't be called. He was the only one playing better than his ranking, after all. Of course, Forget can pick his beloved Llodra again for singles.

Thanks. The problem is if he does play Montpellier, he travels to Canada straight after (If only he's picked) and then he has to return back to Europe for Rotterdam. Fatigue might come into play......

Edit: It looks like Richard is certain to play Montpellier as it's a very special tournament to him and he loves playing at home.

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